Congress member says US quantum investments may be illegal

Last week, the US government announced $2 billion in investments in quantum computing companies, allocating $100 million each to a range of startups in exchange for equity. Those could be make-or-break investments for many companies that are likely years away from a product that could see widespread use.

The largest single commitment would go to a company called Anderon. It will be set up with a billion dollars each from IBM and the government, inherit personnel and IP from IBM, and serve as a foundry for fabricating quantum processing units, contracting its services to IBM and any other company that wants access to cutting-edge hardware.

Zoe Lofgren (D–Calif.), the ranking member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, said the deals are unlawful because Congress did not allocate the money for this purpose.

United States, California

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